Castles, Hadrian's Wall & the Lake District
Castles, Hadrian's Wall & the Lake District
460 Views
6 Days
From
$3149
$3061
Castles, Hadrian's Wall & the Lake District
6 Days Starting in Newcastle and ending in Penrith
Visiting: Newcastle upon Tyne, Alnwick, Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, Vindolanda, Catbells, Keswick, Helvellyn, Penrith, Europe
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TDR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$3149
$3061 (USD)
WINTER SALE @ Tourhub Discount: $88
Tour Overview
For an adventurous getaway combining history and hiking, few destinations can compete with the windswept wilds of northern England. Here we meet long-gone monarchs and marauding invaders at Alnwick and Bamburgh castles, both seen in TV shows and films, including Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and The Last Kingdom. We also cross to the tidal island of Lindisfarne, the birthplace of Christianity in England, and walk a section of Hadrian’s Wall, which once marked the northwest boundary of the Roman empire. We end the trip in the Lake District where we hike two peaks – known locally as fells – for astonishing views over perhaps the most beautiful rural landscape in the UK. Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Newcastle
Location:
Newcastle upon Tyne
Meals Included:
dinner
Our adventure begins in Newcastle, once a titan of industry, now transformed into a business hub and cultural powerhouse. We gather at the hotel reception at 6pm to meet each other before a If you arrive with time to spare, you could walk to the Tyne Bridge, a Grade II*-listed arch spanning the river after which it was named. Opened in October 1928 by King George V, it is now the most famous of seven bridges crossing the Tyne and an icon of the city.
Accommodation: Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle
Day 2 : Alnwick And Alnmouth
Location:
Alnwick
Meals Included:
breakfast
We leave the city and head to Alnwick, an ancient market town guarded by an imposing Norman castle. Our exploration starts with a walk around town, before we head to Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in the UK behind Windsor Castle.
Built in the 11th century, the fort was originally a defensive stronghold – seen in the extra-thick stone walls – but has more recently become a picturesque setting for TV and film, featuring in Downton Abbey and as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies. Our visit includes a wander round the lavish state rooms and the opportunity to try archery, take broomstick flying lessons as Harry Potter once did here, and visit the artisans courtyard to experience 14th-century life.
This afternoon, we head to the coastal village of Alnmouth, where rows of pastel-coloured fishermen's cottages and stone houses line the River Aln. Here we explore the traditional high street, dipping into gift shops, cafes and pubs. The leader can recommend somewhere for dinner, but what better way to cap a day of tradition than with fish and chips on the beach, a classic British seaside experience?
Ascent: 302ft (92m)
Accommodation: The Oaks Hotel, Alnwick
Day 3 : Lindisfarne And Bamburgh Castle
Location:
Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle
Meals Included:
breakfast
We head to Lindisfarne (also known as Holy Island) after breakfast, which is considered the birthplace of Christianity in England. This tidal island is cut off from the mainland by the sea twice a day; don’t worry, we check the tides before making the journey across.
Here we visit the ruins of a 12th-century priory, which was founded by Norman monks and played a vital role in introducing Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England. We also walk past a castle that was converted into a private holiday home by Sir Edwin Lutyens, an architect who had a major role in the formation of New Delhi, India.
We then take a tour of Bamburgh Castle, which you may recognise from the Netflix series The Last Kingdom. Built on a rocky plateau right next to the Northumberland coastline, this imposing fort has played guardian to the area for more than 1,400 years, hosting several kings and witnessing many bloody battles.
Ascent: 200ft (61m)
Accommodation: The Oaks Hotel, Alnwick
Day 4 : Hadrian’S Wall To The Lake District
Location:
Vindolanda
Meals Included:
breakfast
Today we head across the country to the Roman ruins of Hadrian's Wall, a Unesco World Heritage site stretching 73mi (117km) from coast to coast. This 1,900-year-old relic once marked the northwest border of the Roman empire, cutting through the still-wild landscape.
During our walk, we visit Vindolanda, a complete Roman garrison, which has been excavated for years and is still being uncovered. We also visit Sycamore Gap, immortalised in Kevin Costner's Prince of Thieves (1991 and one of the most photographed trees in the country. After, we take a bus transfer to the Lake District, a beloved national park of spectacular rural landscapes and quintessential old English towns.
Ascent: 400ft (122m)
Accommodation: The Royal Oak, Keswick
Day 5 : Walk Up Cat Bells
Location:
Catbells, Keswick
Meals Included:
breakfast
Today we embark on a classic Lake District experience: fell walking. Our fell (the name derives from an old Norse word meaning mountain or moor-covered hill) is Cat Bells, one of the most beautiful in the region and not a strenuous hike at just 1,480ft (451m) tall. At the top, we have wonderful panoramas taking in the countryside and the expansive lake known as Derwent Water.
This afternoon, we take the ferry back to Keswick. Then we have free time to relax or explore this historic market town.
Ascent: 600ft (183m)
Accommodation: The Royal Oak, Keswick
Day 6 : Walk Up Helvellyn
Location:
Helvellyn
Meals Included:
breakfast, dinner
Today we tackle our second peak, Helvellyn, the third highest fell in the Lake District at 3,118ft (950m) tall. It’s been called the greatest walk in England with stretching views over the rural landscape; we go up and down via the easiest route available with no steep inclines. At the top, we can marvel at the whole Lake District; at the bottom, we stop for a pint in the King’s Head, a 17th-century coaching inn turned traditional pub with sensational views over the landscape.
Ascent: 2,500ft (762m)
Accommodation: The Royal Oak, Keswick
Day 7 : Transfer To Penrith
Location:
Penrith
Meals Included:
breakfast
After breakfast, we begin our return journey home. To make things easy, there’s a transfer to Penrith where there are hourly trains to London and Scotland. We will arrive at Penrith station by 10am.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, two dinners
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Entry into Lindisfarne Priory, Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle and Gardens, Vindolanda
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Leader throughout and mountain guide on last day
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Minibus throughout
What's Not Included
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Flights and rail journeys
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Visas
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Insurance
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Single supplement (we need a rate for this if available)
Food
All breakfasts and two dinners are included.
Accommodation
We use three hotels on this trip, in Newcastle, Alnwick and Keswick. Below are the accommodations we typically use.
Newcastle: Royal Station Hotel (night 1)
The Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle is a Grade I-listed retreat within an easy walk of the train station and city centre. The rooms are classically styled and there’s an in-house cocktail bar and leisure club.
Alnwick: The Oaks Hotel (nights 2-3)
The Oaks Hotel in Alnwick provides comfortable rooms in a traditional British pub constructed from honey-coloured stone.
Keswick: Royal Oak (nights 4-6)
The three-star Royal Oak in Keswick town centre is a boutique-style accommodation within an 18th-century coaching inn. Over the years, it’s welcomed a host of literary luminaries, including Lord Tennyson, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Sunday - Friday
May 26, 2024 - May 31, 2024Sunday - Friday
Jun 30, 2024 - Jul 05, 2024Sunday - Friday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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